Little help for girls in NL caught up in crime: study

A recent government-funded study has revealed limited support for girls and young women entangled in the Dutch criminal justice system. The research, conducted by the justice ministry's WODC and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, analyzed 22 international treatment methods for young female offenders. Only one approach, aimed at managing aggression, is recognized as promising for Dutch females. Most other assistance programs remain untested for their efficacy.

Boys dominate young offender statistics, making up the majority of cases. However, girls typically enter the system for distinct reasons. Their actions are often linked to anxiety, family conflicts, or sexual abuse, as opposed to aggression, impulsiveness, or associating with the wrong crowd, which are more common among boys. Consequently, support tailored for boys often proves ineffective for girls, particularly in less intensive forms of assistance offered through family or youth care.

Not everyone agrees that this represents a significant issue. Certain experts argue that programs are inherently personalized, rendering them suitable for both genders. Others advocate for more explicit guidelines in dealing with female offenders. Girls and young women constitute a small fraction of recorded crime, generally involving less severe offenses like theft.

In younger age groups (under 16), there has been a minor increase in violent crimes recently, though the reason remains unclear. This follows a broader trend of rising teen crime rates observed last year.